'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎11r] (26/188)

11
The Eastern line from Pasni to Turbat as before, thence to Chitkan No. 6F.
(Panj^ur). This is a fairly good road ; stages 1, 2, 3, and 9 are fit for guns;
the others with a little work ; stage 8, impracticable; supplies fair, except at
stages 6 and 7. Water, fuel, etc., at all stages. Length 137^ miles. Chitkan
is practically the same place as Isai Kalat (Panjgur).
Having reached the Panjgur valley by the Kej valley and this easterly No. 0B.
route, the route on to Seistan would be as already described from Dizak, which
would be reached by the river valley Kuhak and Dehak.
For details of this route, sec lateral communications, Route No. 6B.
Listances : —
Piisni—Turbafc ........ 79 miles.
Tarbat—Panjgur ........ 137£ „
Panjgur—Dizak ........ 116£ „
Dizak—Robat ........ 248$ „
Total to Robat (Kuh-i-Malik Siah) by this route, 581^ miles.
The question of marching from Karachi seems hardly worth considering ;
the line would be either along the sea to Pasni and Gvvadur, thence on by
routes already described ; in this case it would appear much preferable to go by
sea and avoid the long tiring march over difficult country or via Las Bela
and Jhao into the Kej valley and thence on by routes already described. This
latter road is fit for camels throughout, but water and supplies scanty, and it
is very doubtful whether the long march and fatigue would compensate for
the avoidance of the short sea trip from Karachi to Gwadur or Pasui.
The routes above mentioned—Karachi-Kej valley and Karachi-Gwadur—will
be found in “ Routes in Southern Baluchistan” Nos. 131 and 100.
The main lines of advance from the littoral of the Arabian Sea, between
Bundar Abbas and Karachi, having been thus briefly sketched, it may not be
out of place to make some remarks as to the general strategical aspect of an
advance from all or any of these ports to Seistan. In considering the question
of landing anywhere along this coast, it must be borne in mind that the heat
along the littoral is intense, and that the end of January or beginning of
February is the only feasible time for landing ; at other times the heat would
seriously delay any rapid disembarkation or march inland. In the same way
the Kej valley, which from its position would appear to be the most suitable
place to make the first inland concentration, is quite unsuitable owing to the
intense heat, which is even worse than on the littoral.
The Dizak-Panjgur valley having a fairly good climate, Dizak being
4,000 feet high, is the first place where the force could concentrate before
advancing, and would have to be the land base. From Dizak on, the various
routes are easy, and suitable for all arms; field artillery could march northward
without much trouble.
Karachi and Bundar Abbas, ow ing to the great distance to be marched, do
not recommend themselves as main sea bases.
W e are therefore reduced to Charbar, Gw r adur and Pasni as our sea bases.
The best line of advance is from Charbar to Bampur, and thence via Magas to
Dizak. This route is suitable for a large force of all arms, but not for wheels
throughout ; but if we were to use this route, which is throughout in Persian
territory, it would presumably be with the approval of the Persian authorities,
and no resistance would be met with, so field artillery might be taken to pieces
and carried over the difficult places south of Bampur. From Pasni and
Gwadur the routes are not suited for forces accompanied by large numbers of
horses and mules; gram,;barley, and other horse grains cannot be locally
b 2